Intelius - adoptive parentshttp://blog.intelius.com/taxonomy/term/141/0
enReconnecting with Family and Friends for the Holidayshttp://blog.intelius.com/reconnecting-family-and-friends-holidays
<p class="normal"><img src="/corp/files/corp/shutterstock_15164746.jpg" alt="Long lost family, reconnecting over the holidays" width="300" height="200" /></p><p class="normal">For many, the Holidays are a magical
time made up of family, friends and fond memories. But what if someone near and
dear is missing from your life? If you have lost touch with a special person
and want to reconnect this holiday season, the Internet may hold valuable clues
to their whereabouts.</p>
<p class="normal">Years ago, locating someone required
a lot of legwork, some detective skills and a little luck for good measure.
Today, there are online tools, sites and services to aide in the process. The
key is to get organized, use the right tools and get started sooner rather than
later.</p>
<ol><li><strong>Gather
together any and all information you may know about the person.</strong> Begin with the
basics, such as name, birth date, mother’s maiden name or last known address.
If those details are limited, make a list of anyone who might have knowledge
about their whereabouts, such as childhood friends, relatives or old neighbors.
Each person on the list may hold an important clue to helping you achieve your
goal.</li><li><strong>Although Google or Facebook
may seem like an obvious place to start, the&nbsp;volume of information you receive can
be overwhelming, unproductive and even discouraging. </strong>To bypass quantity and go
straight to quality data, tap into public records. A social security number can
unlock a goldmine of home, work and personal records, but even a single email
address or phone number can produce valuable insight.With the exception of juvenile files,
adoptions and financial records, public information is available for anyone to
view. What once required a trip to the city or county clerk’s office is now
available at your fingertips from companies that bring this information
together as a service, such as Intelius (www.intelius.com).</li><li><strong>If your
special someone is, or might be, homeless or does not want to be found, your
search could require some serious sleuthing.</strong> Since no national database exists
for this population, your phone skills, patience and ingenuity will be key.
Check online for a list of shelters, community organizations and churches in
the area you believe they may reside and track down anyone with whom they may
have had contact. Share photographs, create a ‘Missing’ poster or consider an
ad in a local paper or online website such as craigslist. Keep in mind that
this population is mobile and that your search may take you to places you have
yet to imagine.</li><li><strong>Once you secure contact
information, consider carefully the best method for reconnecting. </strong>If
you have time and reason to believe that your special someone may not be as
interested in connecting as you are, send a letter to the last known address to
break the ice. Explain your interest, provide contact information and give them
the opportunity to respond. Always mark the envelope, “Forwarding Address
Requested,” so the post office can forward or return your letter if their
address is unknown.</li></ol>
<p class="normal">Reconnecting with a
special someone could be the best gift possible for the holidays,&nbsp;but it may also
present challenges and even disappointment. Today’s online tools&nbsp;make the process
easier than ever before, but it still takes time and patience to&nbsp;undergo a search.&nbsp;</p><p class="normal">Keep in mind that you
may locate someone who does not want to be found or may&nbsp;not be ready to
reconnect as quickly as you are. Take heart. You will never know&nbsp;until you get
started.</p>
<p class="normal">Set your expectations
and cherish the peace of mind gained from the journey.&nbsp;If you locate your
loved one, celebrate the joy of having&nbsp;them back in your
heart, if not your home, during this special season.</p><div class="comment-link"><a href="/reconnecting-family-and-friends-holidays#comments">1 comment</a> &ndash; <a href="/reconnecting-family-and-friends-holidays#comments">Read/add comments</a></div><div class="service-links"><div class="service-label">Bookmark/Search this post with: </div><ul class="links"><li class="service_links_delicious first"><a href="http://del.icio.us/post?url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.intelius.com%2Freconnecting-family-and-friends-holidays&amp;title=Reconnecting+with+Family+and+Friends+for+the+Holidays" title="Bookmark this post on del.icio.us." rel="nofollow"><img src="/sites/all/modules/contrib/service_links/images/delicious.png" alt="Delicious" /> Delicious</a></li>
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</ul></div><p><a href="http://blog.intelius.com/reconnecting-family-and-friends-holidays" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://blog.intelius.com/reconnecting-family-and-friends-holidays#commentsadoptionadoptive parentsconnectholidayslost friendsold friendspeople searchReconnectingFri, 10 Dec 2010 22:56:13 +0000dsundgren272 at http://blog.intelius.com